Bass Park Sungmin (center) on June 7 poses for photos after winning first prize at this year's International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Jurmala, Latvia. (Event's official website)

By Lee Dasom

Two rising stars in opera and ballet have won prestigious competitions in Europe.

Bass-baritone Park Sungmin on June 7 won first place at the International Hans Gabor Belvedere Singing Competition in Jurmala, Latvia, the event's official website said.

Park is the third straight Korean to win the event, following baritones Kim Jungrae in 2024 and Kim Geon last year.

Soprano Forooz Razav from Iran was runner-up and Park's bass compatriot Kim Son Jin took third.

Park received prize money of EUR 10,000 (KRW 18 million).

Ballerino Sung Jaeseung on June 5 won the top prize at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition at the Finnish National Opera and Ballet in Helsinki, Finland.

In dance, ballerino Sung Jaeseung on June 5 won the Jane Erko Grand Prix, the top honor of the Helsinki International Ballet Competition of Finland, at the Finnish National Opera Ballet in Helsinki, Finland.

He earned prize money of EUR 20,000 (KRW 36 million).

In addition, In Jiyoung took third place in the junior division and Kang Yujeong the same in the young professional division.

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